Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

IPL Treatments in Valrico & Tampa

Over the past two decades, the medical community has found more and more cosmetic purposes for intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment. IPL devices use multiple wavelengths of light to correct a great many dermatological problems safely and effectively. Dr. Dyan Harvey-Dent of Unique Dermatology & Wellness Center in Valrico Florida, is highly skilled in using IPL treatment and has been using it successfully for years.

What is IPL treatment used for?

IPL treatment is used to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin by removing or greatly minimizing the visibility of:

Vascular lesions (broken capillaries or thread veins)

Pigmented lesions such as freckles or age spots on face, chest, shoulders, and hands

Rosacea

Sun damage

Fine wrinkles

Advantages of IPL Treatment

IPL treatment has many benefits as an aesthetic medical process. Not only is it noninvasive and completely safe, but it improves the appearance of the skin through a process individualized for each patient’s particular skin condition and tone.

The IPL Procedure

The first step in IPL treatment is cleansing the targeted area. After that, a cool gel, designed to keep post-treatment redness to a minimum, is applied. The gel also functions as a lubricant to help the device administering the light glide smoothly over the skin. Patients are given dark glasses to wear during the procedure to protect their eyes from the flashes of intense light.

The doctor holds the handpiece against the patient’s skin, controlling the pulses of light with a trigger button. Each flash is at least 2 seconds long. As the doctor moves the light device across the skin, the patient may experience a stinging sensation similar to the snapping of a small rubber band against the skin. An anesthetic cream may be applied before the procedure to reduce this sensation. Once the process is complete, typically within 20 to 30 minutes, the patient’s skin is cleaned and a soothing gel is applied, accompanied by sunblock when necessary.
In most cases, patients have a series of three to six treatments spaced at approximately one month intervals. To keep the skin in its refreshed condition, most clients return once or twice a year for maintenance treatments.

Preparing for IPL Treatment

It is essential that the area about to receive IPL treatment be protected from the sun for at least 2 to 4 week preceding the procedure. Clients must use sunscreen, stay away from sun exposure and from the artificial sunlight of tanning parlors.

Aftercare

In order to get the most out of your IPL treatment, it is important to follow the doctor’s aftercare directions precisely. These directions will include avoiding the following for a period of time the doctor will determine:

Patients are also advised to wear sunblock with both UVA and UVB protection after treatment, which, of course, Dr. Harvey- Dent recommends for all of her clients anyway.

IPL Treatment for Patients with Dark Skin

Extra caution must be used when IPL is used to treat individuals with dark skins or skins which tan very easily. This is because these individuals have more melanin present in their skin and therefore may experience dyschromatosis (dark patches or light patches) as side effects of IPL treatment. Dr. Harvey-Dent is extremely knowledgeable in this area and will be able to test a patch of your skin during consultation to see if you are a good candidate for IPL treatment. In many cases, darker skinned patients can be successfully treated as long as only low levels of light intensity are used. In such cases, patients will require more treatments to achieve optimal results.

If you are troubled by problems of the skin, whether the result of sun damage, disease, or aging, IPL treatment may present a fine solution. Why not consult with Dr. Harvey-Dent of Unique Dermatology & Wellness Center? She is renowned for her excellent results and her caring presence. She can be reached by phone or by filling out a contact form on her website.